La Mirada City Council approves new master plan for Biola University

LA MIRADA - The City Council Thursday unanimously approved a 20-year master plan for Biola University that will allow the school to increase enrollment by 36 percent.

The plan would allow the university, which has been in La Mirada since 1957, to add 200,000 square feet of building space.

Mayor Gabe Garcia called it a good plan for a "valued partner" for the city.

"We looked at the worst case scenario and mitigation measures are put in place to make sure it's a reasonable development," Garcia said.

The plan includes requirements for improvements in two intersections - Valley View and Rosecrans avenues and La Mirada Boulevard and Rosecrans.

Biola also will be required to pay for new sidewalks and curb ramps in the area, a traffic management program for an event with a capacity greater than 3,000 people and for the costs of a residential parking permit program - should residents seek it.